The U-12 Orange Crush got the fall season of to a strong start over the Labor Day weekend.  Participating in the Bolingbrook Labor Day Soccer Festival, the girls knocked off nemesis Bolingbrook in the Friday night opener 3-2.  Three different players accounted for the scoring effort.

In the second match-up against the Chicago Magic, it was a very physical game. Both teams were awarded penalty shots and scored. Again it was a close game throughout, but the Crush won 3-2. 

Sunday morning was the last of the preliminary round that matched the Orange Crush against the Oak Forest Stars.  Again it was a very physical battle between two old rivals.  The Crush were first to strike taking a 2-0 lead in the first half of play. Oak Forest answered back in the second period but the Crush remained on top for a 2-1 victory.

Entering the Championship match, the girls took the field against a solid Chicago Magic West-Black team for all the marbles. Both teams exhibited fine passing and distribution of the ball. The shots on goal were limited with the Crush only taking four shots in the game. The Crush scored on one of these attempts in the 26th minute and it looked as if it might be just enough to get the win. The magic would not go quietly and evened the game in the second half at 1-1. This is how the game would end in regulation.

To settle the match the teams moved to a penalty kick shootout.  After 6 shooters per side, the Magic edged the Crush by one shot to win the championship. It was an incredible game to watch and drew a spectacular crowd of on-lookers who helped heighten the intensity of play.